Dale Jacquette (au). Features both a historical & a topical approach to the central problems in the field of philosophy -- questions regarding existence, knowledge, & moral & political value. Explains & analyzes seminal works by Plato, Aristotle, Ockham, Descartes, Berkeley, Kant, Mill, Nietzsche, Moore, & Rawls. Applies the “pathways” metaphor to the various intersecting & overlapping lines of thought represented by this selection of authors, drawing connections between their ideas. Students learn how to interpret & critically evaluate difficult philosophical writings in their historical contexts -- how to identify concepts, questions, definitions, arguments, & major components of philosophical reasoning in a systematic way. Illustrations.